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Why did Alabama Governor George Wallace block a doorway of the registrar's office at the University of Alabama? A. He supported the complete segregation of public schools. B. He believed desegregation should happen slowly over time. C. He feared for the safety of the African American students. D. He worried that teachers would be hurt in the chaos.
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Step 1:
I'll solve this problem by analyzing the historical context and George Wallace's actions during the Civil Rights Movement.

Step 2:
: Understanding the Historical Context

In June 1963, the Civil Rights Movement was at a critical point. The federal government was pushing for desegregation of public institutions, including universities, while some Southern states strongly resisted these efforts.

Step 3:
: George Wallace's Political Position

George Wallace was the Governor of Alabama at the time and was a prominent segregationist. He was known for his strong stance against racial integration and had previously made the famous statement "segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever."

Step 4:
: The University of Alabama Incident

On June 11, 1963, Wallace physically stood in the doorway of the University of Alabama's registrar's office to block two African American students, Vivian Malone and James Hood, from enrolling. This was a deliberate act of defiance against federal desegregation orders.

Step 5:
: Analyzing the Motivation

Wallace's actions were motivated by his belief in maintaining racial segregation. He was not concerned about student safety or a gradual approach to integration. Instead, he was actively trying to prevent African American students from entering the university.

Step 6:
: Evaluating the Answer Choices

A. He supported the complete segregation of public schools. ✓ CORRECT B. He believed desegregation should happen slowly over time. ✗ Incorrect C. He feared for the safety of the African American students. ✗ Incorrect D. He worried that teachers would be hurt in the chaos. ✗ Incorrect

Final Answer

George Wallace blocked the doorway because he supported the complete segregation of public schools and was actively resisting federal integration efforts.